I thought top skaters were reimbursed for coaching fee and various training costs by Japanese federation. Otherwise, it wouldn't make sense for JSF to assign the skaters to certain coaches, sometimes against the skater's will. Also, isn't Nobu supposedly from a prominent family? I wouldn't be surprised if he has enough family money to support his new living arrangement. In any case though, the baby was not planned, and this would significantly complicate his training situation.

Still, I'm happy about Lee Barkell. Now that he's parted from Morozov, I'd be able to appreciate him again!

I thought top skaters were reimbursed for coaching fee and various training costs by Japanese federation. Otherwise, it wouldn't make sense for JSF to assign the skaters to certain coaches, sometimes against the skater's will.

I don't know. But Suguri announced earlier than she had been out of sponsor and needed $200,000 per year. Suguri has been a top skater who had had a potential to make the Oly team considering that she made the World team previous year.

what makes everyone think Oda is poor or can't afford skating? Let's not be judgmental about his decision unless you know him personally.

Well, it's not just the finance, but the decision to split the major life projects in two countries (i.e., raising family and getting teaching license in Japan while skating in Canada) that's worrisome. Being a husband/father/student/skater is already difficult enough for anyone. And it is not that he has no choice but to go to Canada. Indeed, he is so privileged as to have free ice time at his Univ. His Univ built a rink for Dai and Nob and Japan has a number of good coaches. Although he may find his ex-coach most comfortable to work with, I wonder how far ahead he has thought about the practical problems that would be complicated by going to Canada and problems that could be avoidable or lessened by staying in Japan. Nob has already missed a number of chances in his career by making immature decisions and I am afraid that this one looks quite worrisome again.

I don't know. But Suguri announced earlier than she had been out of sponsor and needed $200,000 per year. Suguri has been a top skater who had had a potential to make the Oly team considering that she made the World team previous year.

I hope that Nob gets sponsors. He's been stronger than Koz so far. I trust that Koz does not need sponsors coz he's already has one (Toyota) even though Toyota has traditionally been known for being an economic, stingy company that demands cost-benefit analysis of every penny they invest. But I hope that they are generous enough for covering needed expenses. Dai has earned a lot last season for serving as one of the symbol athletes that bring a large sum of money to the Japanese Olympic Committee by appearing in various commercials.

There is no denial that Nob's sponsorship has been affected by the DUI two seasons ago. This past Olympic year was an excellent opportunity for him to redeem his social reputation. He basically comes across as a likable, innocent boy with happy atmosphere. But his lace at Oly never helps sponsorship deals, not to mention Worlds.

I am not sure if his unplanned pregnancy affects sponsorship. As he took the responsibility by getting married with a long-term girlfriend, it's basically a socially desirable outcome. But becoming a father as a student, while having such an extremely unstable, expensive, competitive career as a skater, seems shaky from the commonsensical view. You are expected to live up to the expectation as an adult of mature age. People often tend to delay their marriage in their 30s because of financial and social responsibilities. A wedding costs $30,000 on average, for example.

Nob has earned the reputation as a likable, but careless boy who often makes sloppy mistakes. People in general society do not know much about his history of three-time zayaks, the fence incident, or failure to talk to Dai before contracting with Morosov. But still, people kind of know and remember Nob for DUI, the lace, and unplanned marriage.

What happened happened and I am skeptical how much he will change. But I still hope that he copes with the new situation well and changes his image into something a little more dependable and reliable. Basically, if Suguri can get 10 offers of sponsors, Nob should be able to get a lot more for his youth and better competitive records, although I won't picture him shooting a commercial.

Re: Fumie Suguri- On Thurs. Apr. 29 she was interviewed in Richmond Hill (where she has been working on choreography).
She was interviewed by the people who run the web site www.japanskates.com
It will be posted on the site sometime in mid-May as per Fumie's request.

I am actually wondering how much it takes to compete at highest levels.

I hear that Mao spent like $600,000 per year and Fumie $200,000.

Generally speaking, I read that top coaches can charge like $180 per hour (though they may charge for 20 min/ 30min rather than for an hour). If you train like 2.5 hours a day, it will be $108,000 per year. Programs also can cost another $20,000 for each, costing $40,000. The Japanese Skating Federation cover all the expenses necessary to go to international competitions. But the skaters still need to pay for the hotel etc of their coaches. Costumes, Miki's are estimated to cost like $4000-$7000 each.

If you include the ice time, no wonder if it can be $200,000 for Suguri and $600,000 for Mao who has a bigger team (she has a full-time physical trainer and translator).

God, so Miki spent thousands of dollars on those disastrous costumes last year alone? I knew skating was expensive, but I had no idea it was that expensive.

Yeah, I am wondering how her employer Toyota, the company traditionally famous for being frugal and cost-effective, is dealing with all those costs. Also JSF has KOSE, a top cosmetic company, as one of the major sponsors. Why don't they help skaters with makeup?